Pen Y Bont revisited

[Dukedog]

I've been a member here now for a few months but, apart from a brief introduction have yet to post anything.
I have recently had my arm twisted by Geoff and Simon Dunkley and they have just succeeded in making me post something about my layout Pen Y Bont.

Now, I don't by any stretch of the imagination aspire to be a "Finescsale" modeller (I model in 00 gauge) but, I try to take the hobby seriously and strive to improve my modelling.
Any how, enough of this waffle and on to the point of this topic.

The original concept of this layout was to build a model of a prototype and I choose Aberayron (English spelling) for the prototype.
However soon after constuction started I realised that as a one man band I was really going to struggle to build Aberaeron in the time and space I had.
I therefore cut it down a bit and called it Pen Y Bont.
The main infrastructure and basic track plan though was retained.
Construction started in 2007 and the layout is now in a position where it has been out to two exhibitions.

So, that is a brief introduction, If there is enough interest shown to this post then I will add more.

Just to add a picture

Regards
Frank

 

[Alan]

Good to see Pen-Y Bont here. As was said about my layout more pictures please

 

[Simon Dunkley]

Now, I don't by any stretch of the imagination aspire to be a "Finescsale" modeller (I model in 00 gauge) but, I try to take the hobby seriously and strive to improve my modelling.

Frank, as ever that is lovely stuff, but I am going to take issue with you about the above - and then partially contradict myself! And then show how it isn't a contradiction.

I think your attitude of taking the hobby seriously and striving to improve your modelling is the defining characteristic of a finescale modeller. I will go further and say it is the only defining characteristic, at least as far as I am concerned.

However, I am also of the school of thought that says "finescale 00" is a contradiction in terms, as the compromises necessary (principally in back to back due to the narrowness of the gauge) are too great - this is a personal view, of course. Yes, wheel and track standards can be tightened up, but as soon as it comes to a "head-on" view, the illusion is destroyed. That's the partial contradiction, and I suspect what you mean when you say you are not finescale as Pen-y-Bont is 00.

Having said that, we all have to work within the limitations of space, time, money and skill and cut our cloth accordingly. The biggest constraint here, I think , is time: skills can be improved with enough of it, more money and more space may become available with enough of it, too. It is possible to not spend too much money on the hobby and build quite a small layout, which is the sensible option when time is more limited.

From the standard of your modelling, it is obvious that you could get the hang of building EM pointwork and new loco chassis, given enough time and practice - you would then need to fund all the new chassis kits and wheels, and I have no idea about your monetary constraints (nor do I need to know). However, being short of time, you have elected to use tried, tested and reliable Peco track, and the current RTR wheel standards, which are not bad. The alternative would have been no layout, or possibly no layout for a long time, so as far as I am concerned, no contradiction at all.

I don't care what you say to deny it, but as far as I am concerned you have the finescale "attitude" and your layout is charming, delightful and all things considered realistic, which is why I have been trying to get you to post up here: it's an appropriate bulletin board, as it is focused on WR modelling.

Cynric has not said anything about "finescale" as far as I am aware, so I wouldn't worry about that. (Although he might draw the line at Playmobil, I guess!)

More pix! More pix!

 

[Geoff]

Me twist your arm, now whatever gave you that idea ?  ;D

It is good to see Pen- Y-Bont again and would be even better to have a sneak preview of the new extension and engine shed.
I also happen to feel that you have a finescale attitude, whether you aspire to have one or not.
Take the buildings on your layout, you wanted something better so scratchbuilt your own, the same goes for the lovely brass yard crane which replaced the Ratio model of years past.

I am on record saying elsewhere that the quality of the scene you have created draws the eye away from the Streamline track. The Scalefour Society used to have a slogan which said, "It's not just about track" and it's not, it's the whole picture that counts. With Pen-Y -Bont you have created a lovely convincing picture of a Welsh backwater, so lets have some more photos please

Geoff

 

[Steve Cook]

Just the one picture...not enough Frank, pull yer finger out 

Good to see Pen Y Bont up here, didn't realise you were extending it too...anything you can share?

Steve

 

[iploffy]

yes totally in agreement 1 picture in this case will not say 1000 words we want more

Ian

 

[Dukedog]

Hi again!
Tried to add some more pictures of the layout plan but came unstuck!
I added two images Atachment1 & Attachment 2 but when I posted the message both pictures were the same!
I'm going to have to find time to watch Cynric's demo video on posting pictures before I do any more.
Cheers for now
Frank

 

[iploffy]

add the first one post it then edit it and then add the second one, simples even I can do it that way

Ian

 

[Dukedog]

OK having another crack at posting images in line.

Here's the original track plan.
Based on Aberaeron but with two sidings missing! Another inspiration for this plan was Neil Rushby's layout Abergwynant, albeit this is a mirror image.

Now that the layout is up and running I have decided rather than build something else, to extend Pen Y Bont by another 4 feet
It should end up looking something like this.

Construction of the extension baseboard has not yet started I'm waiting for some dry weather so that I can get outdoors and cut some plywood.

I'll try and post some more pictures and info in the next day or so.
Cheers for now
Frank

Edited to add.
Worked out how to add multiple images now![/attach]

 

[Simon]

Really nice to see Pen Y Bony on here, I like the sound of an extension

Simon

 

[Steve Cook]

Hi Frank

Thanks for posting up the revised plan with extension, its definitely going to open up the operations available 
I'm assuming that is an engine shed on the new board....?

Steve

 

[Dukedog]

Thanks for the comments so far chaps.
Steve, you are quite correct about the engine shed on the extension board.
In fact, even though I have not yet put saw to wood on the extension, the engine shed has been built!

Here it is!

This shed is based on the one that stood at Aberraeron but, due to space restrictions it has had to be cut down in length somewhat. It is just long enough to house a small tender 0-6-0 like a Dean goods or similar.
Built from Plasticard I managed to build this structure whilst being at home on the sick for the last 2 weeks.

I will try and post some more layout pictures later today.

Cheers for now
Frank

 

[iploffy]

I like the ES and the extension looks very well thought out not too much crammed in

Ian

 

[Phill Dyson]

I like the extension plan Frank. The idea of adding further modules to a complete layout is a very good way to sustain interest in a project IMO & I imagine it makes the building of the layout more achievable as you don't get bogged down with vast expanses of baseboard to fill  all at once. I would like to follow this approach myself with an indoor layout if I could come up with a good enough plan which works as well in both stages (as yours does IMO )

Cheers Phill

 

[Neil]

The extension looks like a very good idea Frank, more space for trains to stretch their wheels has to be a good thing.

 

[28ten]

I like the engine shed. Iirc Kerry was a similar design.

 

[Simon Dunkley]

In fact, even though I have not yet put saw to wood on the extension, the engine shed has been built!

This shed is based on the one that stood at Aberraeron but, due to space restrictions it has had to be cut down in length somewhat. It is just long enough to house a small tender 0-6-0 like a Dean goods or similar.
Built from Plasticard I managed to build this structure whilst being at home on the sick for the last 2 weeks.

It's an ill-wind, Frank... (Excuse the pun on "ill" and "sick". You see what I did there?)

Nice extension plan, and really nice work on the loco shed - top notch, that.

How did you do the windows? Are they etchings, or micro-strip?

 

[iploffy]

I know I and others keep saying it WB please with loads of piccies

Ian

 

[Geoff]

I know I and others keep saying it WB please with loads of piccies

Ian

Frank is just being a tease but your wait will be worthwhile Ian.

That shed is a lovely piece of work Frank, you can't beat a quality scratchbuilt job, especially when an unusual prototype is modelled.

Geoff

 

[Dukedog]

Again Thanks for the kind comments

I know I and others keep saying it WB please with loads of piccies

Ian

OK OK , I get the message. I WILL start a WB thread soon I promise, But, it ain't going to be pretty! I'm a bit of a codger sometimes but the end results look reasonable I think.
Give me time to sort myself out and get into things here first.

In the meantime here's another couple of pictures of the layout taken outdoors this summer just gone.

Cheers for now
Frank


More soon.[/attach]